On the initiative of Department of Personnel and Training, Department of Posts has launched a service called “elPO” (Electronic Indian Postal Order) w.e.f 22.03.2013. This is a facility to purchase an Indian Postal Order electronically by paying a fee on line through e-Post Office Portal ie, http://www.epostoffice.gov.in. It can also be accessed through India Post website www.indiapost.gov.in. As per RTI Rules, 2012, fees may be paid by electronic means, if facility for receiving fees through electronic means is available with the public authority.

At present, this facility is provided only for Indian Citizens abroad across the globe to facilitate them to seek information from the Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) under the RTI Act, 2005. Debit and Credit cards can be used to purchase elPO.

The user needs to get himself registered at the website. He has to select the Ministry/Department from whom he desires to seek the information under the RTI Act and the elPO so generated can be used to seek information from that Ministry/Department only. A printout of the elPO is required to be attached with the RTI application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, elPO is required to be attached as an attachment.

It may be noted that this facility is only for purchasing an Indian Postal Order electronically. All the requirements for filing an RTI application as well as other provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions etc., as provided in the RTI Act, 2005 will continue to apply.

The functions of the Consulate, inter alia, include bilateral, political and economic cooperation activities, trade and investment promotion, cultural interaction, media liaison, and educational-scientific cooperation.

Consulate functions within the purview of business allocated to the Ministry of External Affairs under the Government of India’s Allocation of Business Rules and Transaction of Business Rules

(ii)

The powers and duties of its officers and employees;

General Administrative powers are derived from IFS (PLCA) Rules, as amended from time to time.

Financial powers of the Officers of the Consulate have been detailed in the Delegated Financial powers of the Government of India’s Representatives Abroad.

Other powers are derived from the Passport Act of India.

The Officers of the Consulate function under the guidance and supervision of Consul General.

(iii)

The procedure followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability;

Decisions are taken under the instruction and supervision of Consul General

(iv)

The norms set by it for the discharge of its functions;

Norms are set under the instruction and supervision of the Consul General. The Consul & HOC exercises the powers of Head of Chancery.

(v)

The rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records, held by it or under its control or used by its employees for discharging its functions;

IFS PLCA rules and annexures

Delegated Financial Powers of Government of India’s Representatives abroad Rules

Passport Act

Other Central Government Rules and manuals published by Central Government.

(vi)

A statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control;

The particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation with, or representation by, the members of the public in relation to the formulation of its policy or implementation thereof;

Consulate functions within the norms of India’s foreign policy formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs. Policy is implemented by the Consulate under the guidance and supervision of the Consul General.

Consulate interacts regularly with representatives of think tanks, academic community, Indian businesses and visa/consular service applicants, and is open to their suggestions.

(viii)

A statement of the boards, councils, committees and other bodies consisting of two or more persons constituted as its part or for the purpose of its advice, and as to whether meetings of those boards, councils, committees and other bodies are open to the public, or the minutes of such meetings are accessible for public;